What To Watch This Weekend In MLB

One of baseball’s biggest criticism’s is how long a season lasts. Each team plays a regular season of 162 games, spanning from April all the way through the end of September. An already slow-sport that’s then drawn out for so many games can make these hot August days seem meaningless. No one’s really going to remember today’s loss when they miss out on the playoffs by just one game, will they? So, what value can one find in this weekend’s series?

Lemme tell ya.

Must-Watch Series

Astros @ Athletics

It doesn’t get too much better than this. The sizzling hot A’s are only 2 back of the reigning champs in the AL West. If the A’s win this series, they join or even surpass Houston at the top of the division. Oakland’s best 3 of late, Jackson, Cahill, and Manaea, square off against Morton, Keuchel, and Verlander. In case that isn’t enough, George Springer is set to make his return from the DL this weekend, a return the struggling Astros desperately need.

Rockies @ Braves

Kicking off this 4 game series is Colorado’s best two on the hill, Jon Gray and Kyle Freeland. Teheran squares off against Gray, followed by Atlanta’s strongest, Newcomb, Foltynewicz, and Sanchez. The Braves currently own a 2 game lead over the Phillies in the NL East, and will look to keep it that way as Philly faces the underwhelming New York Mets. For the Rockies, they sit at 2nd place in the NL West, just a game and a half back of Arizona, and two and a half out of the wild card.

Dodgers @ Mariners

Both of these teams look to end their losing skids as they kick off a 3 game interleague series. LA is just 6-11 in their last 17, while Seattle is 7-9 in their last 16. Both teams currently sit third in their divisions and exactly 2.5 out of their respective wild cards.

Brewers @ Cardinals

1 game separates these two teams between 2nd and 3rd place in the NL Central. The Cardinals are the closest of any NL teams to making the wild card, while the Brewers currently hold the 2nd spot. The Brew Crew has gone just 5-8 this month, while the Birds have gone 12-2. The Brewers have won 7 of 13 contests against the Cardinals so far this season.

Mets @ Phillies

In theory, a 5 game series versus the Mets wouldn’t sound like must-see TV. However, aces will square off on the hill in Philly as Syndergaard dukes it out against Nola on Friday night, followed by a Degrom – Arrieta matchup on Saturday. If you’re as big of a pitching duel fan as I am, these games should be thrilling.

Players To Look Out For

Jon Gray vs Julio Teheran

Since being reinstated from AAA, the Rockies have won all 5 of Gray’s starts as he’s pitched to a 2.29 ERA. Teheran owns a 2.21 ERA in 9 career starts against the Rockies.

Matt Carpenter

Carpenter was batting .321 with a 1.261 OPS and 16 HR over his last 29 games, however left yesterday’s game after being drilled by the pitch, and is currently day to day.

Ronald Acuna Jr.

After leaving yesterday’s game upon being hit by pitch, Acuna technically never had an at bat, so his 5 game homerun streak is still intact. He’s batted .471 with 8 HR in his last 8 games.

Chris Sale

Sale hasn’t allowed a run in his last 27 and a third innings, and owns an 0.69 ERA over his last 10 starts, striking out 109 of the 242 batter’s he’s faced.

Matt Chapman

The 3rd baseman is currently riding an MLB high 14 game hit streak and 23 game on base streak, in which he’s batted .380 with an OPS above 1.200.